Container filling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Container filling apparatus includes a first constantly moving conveyor belt for empty containers and a second parallel constantly moving conveyor belt for filled containers. Filling stations are located in the space between the belts and each filling station includes apparatus for rotating a can during filling and for subsequently depressing the articles loaded into the can so that none of them project above a certain level in the can. Pusher devices push empty cans laterally from the first conveyor belt and the empty cans push the filled cans laterally from the filling stations onto the discharge conveyor belt. Each pusher device automatically retracts if an empty can fails to move properly to the filling station within a predetermined time interval, and thereafter the pusher immediately moves forward again, to avoid shutoff of the supply of empty cans to filling stations downstream from the can which failed to move properly. A device for selectively marking the outside surface of cans at certain of the filling stations avoids the requirement of a separate can supply for filling stations handling different products.

United States Patent Rickard et al.

[ 51 Aug. 8, 1972 [54] CONTAINER FILLING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: DonnJ. Rickard, Glendora; Robert F. Rohm, Fullerton; lh'anklin K.

Holbrook, Whittier, all of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Brown International Corporation,

Covina, Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 83,389

[52] US. Cl. ..l4l/98, 98/24, 98/33 AB, 141/104, 14l/l70 [51] Int. Cl..B65b l/04, B65b 3/04 [58] FieldofSearch ..l4l/l29-191,94, 141/98, 104;33/131; 198/24, 33 AB [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,082,567 6/1937 Blearn ..'l4l/l70 2,333,232 ll/l943 Bleam etal .l4l/l702,695,123 11/1954 Suellentrop' 141/170 2,922,445 1/ 1960 Osmond et al..l4l/ 170 3,219,070 ll/l965 Nowak ..l41/l70 3,405,500 10/1968 Rupert141/170 Primary Examiner-Houston S. Bell, .lr. Attorney-Lyon & LyonABSTRACT Container filling apparatus includes a first constantly movingconveyor belt for empty containers and a second parallel constantlymoving conveyor belt for filled containers. Filling stations are locatedin the space between the belts and each filling station includesapparatus for rotating a can during filling and for subsequentlydepressing the articles loaded into the can so that none of them projectabove a certain level in the can. Pusher devices push empty canslaterally from the first conveyor belt and the empty cans push thefilled cans laterally from the filling stations onto the dischargeconveyor belt. Each pusher device automatically retracts if an empty canfails to move properly to the filling station within a predeterminedtime interval, and thereafter the pusher immediately moves forwardagain, to avoid shutoff of the supply of empty cans to filling stationsdownstream from the can which failed to move properly. A device forselectively marking the outside surface of cans at certain of thefilling stations avoids the requirement of a separate can supply forfilling stations handling different products.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 8, 1972 5 Sheets-sheaf 1 KINVENTOR5.

Patented Aug. 8, 1972 5 Shuts-Shoot 2 pdA/A/ J ,Z/CL AZD 305637 E 50/774 FEA/VKL/A/K HOCBZUOK INVENTORS- Patented Aug. 8, 1972 5 Shuts-Shut 4Dav/v J 5/6/9429, 505667 E E0 nfvy g Patented Aug. 8, 1972 5Shoots-Sheet 5 CONTAINER FILLING APPARATUS This invention relates tocontainer filling apparatus and is particularly directed to improvementswhich permit each container filling station to operate on demand andwithout any predetermined order or sequence. As soon as the fillingoperations relating to a particular can are completed, a pusher deviceengages one of the series of cans resting on a moving conveyor belt andmoves it laterally off the belt toward filling position. The movement ofthe empty can brings it into contact with the previously filled can andmoves the latter onto a discharge belt. The pusher devices operateindependently. Can-contacting fingers and gates are employed inconnection with pusher fingers for holding the empty can against tiltingmovement in any direction while it is being trans-ferred from the supplybelt to can-filling position.

This invention also contemplates the provision of means for retractingthe pusher assembly in the event that the empty can which it pushesfails to reach the filling position after a predetermined time interval,for example one-half second. The pusher retracts to free the can, thenimmediately advances to trap the same or another can in the series andto push it to filling position, displacing a filled can in the process.Another feature of this inven-tion relates to apparatus for moving thegrapefruit sections down into the can at the conclusion of the fillingoperation, to insure that the filled can has an empty space near the topend thereof for subsequent closure by a lid and injection of steam intothe space.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of apparatusfor marking the cans which exit from certain of the filling stations.For example, it is desirable to package all of the unbroken sphericalwedgeshaped grapefruit sections in one series of cans and to package thebroken grapefruit section in another series of cans, the two series ofcans being readily distinguishable after completion of the fillingoperation. This is readily accomplished by marking the cans containingbroken sections as those cans are rotated as a part of the fillingprocess.

Other objects and hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view partly broken away, showing a preferred embodimentof this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation thereof partly broken away.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation partly broken away, taken substantiallyon the lines 33 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken substantially on the lines 4-4 as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a plan view constituting an enlarged portion of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a portion of FIG. 3 on an enlargedscale.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the lines 8-8 asshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the parts in a differentposition.

FIG. 10 shows a portion of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale.

FIG. 1 l is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10.

advantages will appear FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing mechanismfor operating the can pushing plunger assembly.

Referring to the drawings, a conveyor belt 10 for empty containers 20extends over pulleys 11 and 12 and is driven by sprocket 13. A conveyorbelt 14 for filled containers 23 extends over pulleys l5 and I6 and isdriven by sprocket 17. The belts l0 and 14 are parallel, and their uppersurfaces lie in substantially the same horizontal plane. Containerfilling stations A, B and C are positioned in the space between thebelts. While three filling stations are shown in the drawings, it willbe understood that this is by wayof illustration only and that anynumber of container filling stations could be employed.

In the general plan of operation, empty open-top cans 20 are deliveredby the continuously moving belt 10 and are pushed laterally ofl the sideedge of the belt 10 to a filling station A, B or C by means of one ofthe pusher assemblies 22. In moving laterally to the filling station,the empty can 20 pushes a previously filled can 23 laterally onto thecontinuously moving discharge belt 14. The pusher 22 at each fillingstation operates independently of other pushers at other stations, sothat there is no fixed sequence of operation of the pusher assemblies22.

Since the pusher assemblies and related apparatus at each of the fillingstations are substantially duplicates, a

description of one will suffice. As shown in FIG. 2, the

stationary frame 25 carries supports 26 and 27 for slidingly supportingthe upper and lower reaches of the belt 10 and carries supports 28 and29 for the upper and lower reaches of the belt 14. A vibratory fillingchute 30 has a nozzle 31 provided with acircular guard 32 at itsdischarge end, and this chute delivers weighed loads of fragile articlessuch as grapefruit sections into an open-top can 20a in fillingposition. Apparatus for deliverying the weighed loads is shown anddescribed in the copending application of Donn J. Rickard for Apparatusfor Filling a Container with a Weighed Load of Fragile Articles, Ser.No. 83,390 filed of even date herewith.

A stationary stop 33 is fixed to the frame 10 and is engaged by thefirst empty can 20 in the series of cans resting on the continuouslymoving belt 10. Guide rails 34 and 35 prevent lateral movement of thecans 20 except at locations opposite the container filling stations. Thepusher assemblies 22 include vertically spaced pairs of contact fingers36 and 37 shaped to engage the side cylindrical surface of a can 20above and below its center of gravity, and these contact fingers areprovided on vertically spaced plates 38 and 39 mounted on a bracket 40fixed to carrier bar 41. Parallel stationary guide bars 43 are fixed tothe frame 25 by means of stationary blocks 44 and 45. The movablecarrier bar 41 is fixed to spaced slide bearings 46 and 47 which slideaxially on the stationary guide bars 43. A double-acting power cylinderassembly 49 supported on the stationary block 45 has a piston rod 50connected to the bearing block 47 for reciprocating the carrier bar 41and finger plates 38 and 39. These parts are movable between theretracted position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 and the extended positionshown in FIG. 5. It will be noted in FIG. 5 that the width of the fingersupport bracket 40 is substantially the same as the diameter of one ofthe cans 20, so that the bracket 40 in extended position serves as astop to limit motion of cans upstream on the traveling belt 10.

The forward motion of the carrier bar 41 and finger plates 38 and 39 isarrested by contact between the slide bearing and the adjustable stop 48(FIG. 2). The empty can, moved laterally to filling position, pushes aprevious filled can 23 away from filling position onto the dischargebelt 14.- Can control plates 51 are mounted on the stationary frame andserve as a support for the guides 57, gates 102 and 103, trip finger 92,and movable stop 53. Each of these plates has a face 52 extending at anangle and which causes the filled cans 23to move diagonally on thedischarge belt 14. Overtravel of the empty can 20a toward fillingposition is prevented by vertically spacedstop fingers 53 pivotallymounted at 54 and held resiliently in position against adjustable stop55 by means of spring 56. Stationary guide rails 57 guide the can 200 toa central position over the vertical axis of the can rotating mechanismgenerally designated 58.

As best shown in nos. 3,6 and 7, the can rotating mechanism 58 includesa stationary sleeve 60'fixed to the frame-25 and having axially spacedbushings 61 for rotary support'of the tube 62. A thrust washer 63supports the upper flanged portion 64 of the sleeve 62. A

. rotary platform 65 is provided with three radial notches 66 to provideclearance for grip fingers 67 which may be projected through the notches66 to grip the can 20a just above its chime 68 and to hold the can incentral position. A drive pulley 69 keyed to the lower portion of therotary tube 62 has a V-belt groove 70 to receive a portion of the lengthof a V-belt 71 (FIGS. 8 and 9). The belt 71 is brought into drivingrelationship with the groove 70 by moving it laterally by means ofspaced rollers 72 carried on a common support 73 actuated by a powercylinder assembly 74. When the assembly 74 is energized, the rollers 72move from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 8,thereby causing the belt 71 to drive the pulley 69. The belt 71 receivespower from drive pulley 59 driven by motor 75 through chain 81 and gearbox 91. The same belt 71 selectively drives each of the can rotatingassemblies, one at each container filling station.

An axially movable rotary stem 76 projects through the interior of therotary tube 62 and is connected by key 81 for rotation therewith- Thestem 76'may be moved axially by means of the power cylinder assembly 77which has a piston rod 78 connected through thrust bearing 79 to thebearing housing 80 fixed on the lower end of the stem 76. An enlargedhead 82 is provided on the upper end of the stern, and this head hasthree equally spaced radial slots 83 each traversed by a pin 84. Anelongated opening 85 in one arm of each finger 67 slidably receives thepin 84. Each finger 67 is pivotally mounted on a pin 86 carried on therotary platform 65. From this description, it will be understood thatthe platform 65 and fingers 67 rotate whenever the pulley 69 is driven,and the fingers 67 move from the inoperative position shown in phantomlines in FIG. 6 to the full line operative position when the shape of aspherical wedge and hence rotation of the can and contents is desirableto achieve optimum above the top of the can immediately after the canreceives the weighed load of grapefruit sections.

Means are provided for pushing the grapefruit sections down below thelevel of the upper end of the can 20a, after the filling operation.purpose of this procedure is'to insure that the extreme upper portion ofthe interior of the can is empty when the can leaves the fillingstation. In a subsequent operation, not shown, the can lid is appliedafter injecting steam into the space at the upper end of the can. Thesteam condenses and the can is said to be vacuum-packed. A plunger 87 iscarried on the lower end of a piston rod 88 extending verticallydownward from the double-acting power cylinder assembly 89. Thisassembly is supported on brackets 90 fixed to the frame of themachine.The plunger 87 is slightly smaller in diameter than the guard 32 carriedon the filling end of the nozzle 31. The plunger 87 may be moveddownward fromthe full line position shown in FIG. 3 to the dotted lineposition in which it occupies a small portion of the upper end of thecan 200. The plunger 87 is normally inserted into the upper end of thecan 20a after the rotation operation has ceased, and the plunger is im-'mediately withdrawn to its upper retracted position. I The filled canremains in place on the rotary table 65 until the plunger 87 movesupward out of the upper end of the can. a

The next adjacent can 20 on the belt 10 is then moved laterally by meansof thepusher assembly 22 comprising the finger plates 38 and 39, bracket40, carrier bar 41 and power cylinder assembly 49. These parts moveforward from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2. The empty canpushes the filled can onto the discharge conveyor 14. The arrival of theempty can at the filling station is signalled by means of the trip lever92 which is fixed to the hub 93 mounted on stationary pivot pin 94. Alever 95 also fixed to the hub 93 carries a magnet 96 at its swingingend. When the can 20 depresses the lever 92 in its movement toward thefilling position the lever 95 and magnet 96 are moved to the phantomline position shown in FIG. 5. In this position, the magnet 96 liesclosely adjacent a magnetically operated electric switch 97 ofconventional design. This switch energizes an electrical circuit, notshown, to cause discharge of another weighed load of grapefruit sectionsthrough the chute 30 and nonle 31. Tension spring 98 connected to thehub projection 99 returns the parts against an adjustable stop 100.

U-shaped swinging gates 102 and 103 are mounted on vertical pivot pins94 and 104, respectively. Springs 105 and 106 act to move the gates 102and 103 to the position shown in FIG. 4. When one of the empty cans isthrust laterally toward filling position, it moves the gates 102 and 103from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5, andin the latter position the finger plate 38 holds the gates in fully openposition. The resilient retarding action of the gates 102 and 103,contacting the transversely moving can 20 above and below its center ofgravity, cooperate with the fingers 36 and 37 to maintain the canupright against tilting movement during the transfer from the belt. tothe filling position above the turntable 65.

Since the pusher assembly 22 including the finger plates 38 and 39,bracket 40 and carrier bar 41 move forward as soon as the can fillingcycle is complete, it is possible that the empty cans on the travelingbelt 10 may be moving at the instant that the fingers 36 and 37 moveforward toward can-contacting position. Experience has shown that, onrare occasions, one of the empty cans may be pinned against the guide byone or more of the fingers 36, 37, instead of being automaticallycentered between the fingers and pushed into filling position. In suchevent, the empty can which is pinned between the fingers and some otherpart of the machine, prevents upstream cans on the conveyor belt 10 fromreaching positions opposite the filling positions, with the result thatcontainer filling stations downstream from the pinned empty can cease tooperate. In order to avoid this difficulty, means are provided forautomatically retracting the carrier bar 41 and associated finger plates38 and 39 in the event that a predetermined time interval, for exampleone-half second, elapses after the carrier bar 41 begins its movementand until it reaches the far end of its stroke. If a greater lapse oftime occurs, the power cylinder assembly 49 retracts the carrier bar 41to return the finger plates 38 and 39 to retracted position, freeing thepinned can. The carrier bar 41 and associated parts is immediatelyadvanced again, and the same or another can is pushed by the fingers 36and 37 laterally to filling position. Observation has shown that seldom,if ever, is the same or a different can pinned in an inoperativeposition on two successive strokes of the same pusher assembly 22.

The time delay is achieved in the following manner: The pusher assembly22 includes a magnet holder plate 101 secured to the slide bearings 46and 47 and supporting axially spaced magnets 107 and 108. Stationaryelectrical switches 117 and 118 of conventional design are mounted upona stationary panel 119 carried on the frame. Switch 118 is actuated byproximity of magnet 108, and switch 1 17 is actuated by proximity ofmagnet 107. If more than one-half second elapses after magnet 107 passesswitch 117 and before magnet 108 reaches close proximity to switch 118,the power cylinder 49 retracts the assembly 22 to starting position, andthen advances again. As show in FIG. 12, the pusher assembly 22 isactuated by means of a four-way valve 120 which is in turn operated byan electrical solenoid 121 and a return spring 122. A relay switch 123for energizing the solenoid 121 is operated by by the relay 124 having acoil 125 and another coil 126. This relay is of conventionalconstruction and it serves to open the switch 123. Accordingly, when theenergizing switch 127 is closed, the coil 125 of the relay 124 closesthe switch 123 and causes the solenoid 121 to move the four-way valve sothat the plunger assembly 22 is advanced toward the right, as viewed inFIG. 12. If the plunger assembly 22 completes its stroke, the switch 118is closed, thereby energizing coil 126. Coil- 126 being then energized,the effect is to open the switch 123, thereby allowing the spring 122 toreturn the fourway valve to its initial position and causing the plungerassembly 22 to retract. If, however, the plunger assembly 22 does notcomplete its stroke within one-half second, the time delay relay switch128 closes, thereby energizing the coil 126 to open the switch 123. Thiscauses the plunger assembly 22 to move to retracted position. a

Means are provided for marking the cans 200 at one or more of thefilling stations. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the marking pen or pencilis received in a swinging head 111 pivoted at 112 on the plate 51. Apower cylinder assembly 113 operates a crank arm 114 fixed to the pivotpin 112 so that the tip 115 of the marking pencil or pen 1 10 may bemoved into or out of contact with the outer cylindrical surface of thecan 20a as it rests on the turntable 65. An adjustable stop 116 isprovided to limit the travel of the pen tip 115 in the direction towardthe outer surface of the can 20a. If desired, the head 111 may beprovided with a second marking pen or pencil 1 10a, as shown by phantomlines in FIG. 10. Marking of the cans as they turn at the fillingstation enables these particular cans to be identified later, afterclosing, and this has been found to constitute a very valuable feature.One or more of the filling stations may be employed to fill brokengrapefruit sections, whereas all of the other containerfilling stationsmay be supplied with whole unbroken grapefruit sections of sphericalwedge shape. If it were not for the ability to mark the cans containingthe broken sections an entire separate supply line of empty cans wouldbe required.

In operation, empty cans 20 are supplied to the conveyor belt 10 and theseries of cans stops forward motion when the first can in the seriesreaches the stop 33. The conveyor belt 10 continues to move. Articles tobe placed in the cans, for example grapefruit sections of generallyspherical wedge shape, are delivered through the vibratory tray 30 andnozzle 31 in groups each comprising a weighed load. Timing controlmechanism including the trip lever 92 and its associated lever 95 andmagnet 96 swing to a phantom line position as shown in FIG. 5 when anempty can is moved into place on the turntable 65, and the grip fingers67 actuated to grip the chime 68 and rotate the can. In this phantomline position of the magnet 96, its proximity to the magneticallyoperated electrical switch 97 closes a circuit, not shown, which resultsin delivery of grapefruit sections from the nozzle 31 and guard 32 intothe rotating can in filling position. This rotary movement assists indistributing the spherical wedge-shaped grapefruit sections so that theyare more closely packed within the can. After completion of the fillingoperation, the rotation is stopped, and the plunger 87 moves downwardthrough the interior of the guard 32 and into the upper end of the can20a to displace any grapefruit sections extending into this region. Theplunger 87 is then retracted. At this point in the cycle of operation,the can 200 has been spun, filled, and the contents have been moved outof the extreme upper region of the can. It is ready to be removed fromfilling position and carried away on the discharge conveyor belt 14.

Upward retracting movement of the plunger 87 energizes a circuit, notshown, which results in pressurizing the pneumatic cylinder assembly 49associated with the container filling station from which the plunger 87has just been retracted. The pusher assembly 22 which includes thispower cylinder 49 then moves forward so that the fingers 36 and 37 onthe assembly engage an empty can 20 and move it laterally off the sideedge of the belt 10 toward the filling position. During this lateralmovement, the outer surface of the cylindrical can engages the swinginggates 102 and 103 which cooperate with the fingers 36 and 37 to hold thecan upright against tilting as it is moved laterally. During the lateralmotion, the can also strikes the trip lever 92 to swing it to thephantom line position shown in FIG. 5, and to bring the magnet 96 inclose proximity to the electrical switch 97. Lever 92 swings back afterthe can is advanced. Motion of the can 20 toward filling position islimited by engagement with the swinging 'arm53.

As pointed out above, the container filling stations operateindependently on demand and do not have any fixed sequence of operation.Accordingly, it is possible that, at the instant the pusher assembly 22begins its advance to move an empty can laterally off theconveyor belt10, another'pusher assembly 22 downstream may have just completed itscycle and moved back to retracted position, resulting in movement of allof the empty cans upstream therefrom on the conveyor 10..I'hus, at theinstant of movement of the first-mentioned pusher assembly 22, theseries of cans in front of the pusher assembly may be moving. In suchcase, the fingers 36 and 37 may not contact the empty can symmetrically,and instead of moving the empty can directly through the swinging gates102 and 103, the can may become stuck or lodged or pinned so that itdoes not reach filling position and does not contactthe trip lever 92.in such event, the pusher assembly 22 retracts after a time delay ofapproximately one-half second, and immediately moves forward again. Onthis second stroke, the pusher assembly 22 traps the same or differentcan 20 between the fingers 36 and 37 and moves the can through theswinging gates 102 and 103 into contact with the previously filled canat the filling station. The empty can moves the previously-filled canonto the traveling discharge belt 14 and the empty can comes to rest inthe filling position directly over the axis of the rotary turntable 65.While the pusher assembly 22 is in advanced position, as shown in FIG.5', the lateral side edge of the bracket serves as a stop for allupstream empty cans on the conveyor belt 10, and upon retraction of thepusher assembly 22'to the position shown in FIG. 4, the empty cans moveup to fill the vacant space or spaces.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we arenot to be limited to the details herein set forth but that our inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

. We claim:

1. Container filling apparatus,comprising in combination: a conveyorbelt for delivering empty containers, container filling means at oneside of the conveyor belt, said container filling means having means forsupporting a container while it is being filled from the top, a pusherassembly operable at right angles to said conveyor belt, said pusherassembly having vertiagainst tilting during such lateral movement.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which said gates are each Ushaped and each contacts the container above and below its center ofgravity.

3. Container filling apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyorbelt for delivering empty containers, container filling means atone sideof the conveyor belt, said container filling means having means forsupporting a container while it is being filled from the top, a pusherassembly operable at right angles to said conveyor belt and adapted topush an empty container laterally off the side edge of the conveyor beltonto the supporting means of one of said filling means, and meansincluding electrical switches operated by travel of the pusher assemblyfor retracting the pusher assembly away from the empty container after apredetermined time interval in the event that the empty container failsto reachsaid supporting means.

4. Container filling apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyorbelt for delivering empty containers, a stationary stop engaging thefirst empty container in the series on the conveyor belt, a plurality ofcontainer filling means spaced along one edge of the conveyor belt, eachof said container filling means having means for supporting a containerwhile it is being filled from the top, a pusher assembly operable atright angles to said conveyor belt, the pusher assembly having a portionthereof of substantially the same width as the outside transversedimension of each container and positioned so that in advanced positionsaid portion is engaged by a container upstream on said conveyor belt,and said pusher assembly being adapted to push an empty containerlaterally oh the side edge of the conveyor belt onto the supportingmeans.

5. Container filling apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyorbelt for deliving empty cylindrical containers, a plurality of containerfilling means spaced along one edge of the conveyor belt, each of thecontainer filling means having a turntable for supporting a containerwhile it is being filled from the top, selectively operable means forrotating the turntable to distribute material from the filling means towithin the container, a pusher assembly operable at right angles to saidconveyor belt and adapted to push an empty container laterally off theside edge of the conveyor belt onto the turntable, and aresiliently-urged marker adapted to contact the outer cylindricalsurface of the container as it is being rotated on the turntable toproduce a distinctive mark on the container.

l t t

1. Container filling apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyorbelt for delivering empty containers, container filling means at oneside of the conveyor belt, said container filling means having means forsupporting a container while it is being filled from the top, a pusherassembly operable at right angles to said conveyor belt, said pusherassembly having vertically spaced pairs of horizontally spacedcontainer-contacting fingers for engaging the outer surface of the emptycontainer both above and below its center of gravity, said pusherassembly being adapted to push an empty container laterally off the sideedge of the conveyor belt onto the supporting means, and spring-urgedpivoted gates positioned to contact the empty container to resistlateral movement of the container toward the supporting means, saidgates cooperating with said fingers to hold the empty container uprightagainst tilting during such lateral movement.
 2. The combination setforth in claim 1 in which said gates are each ''''U'''' shaped and eachcontacts the container above and below its center of gravity. 3.Container filling apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyor beltfor delivering empty containers, container filling means at one side ofthe conveyor belt, said container filling means having means forsupporting a container while it is being filled from the top, a pusherassembly operable at right angles to said conveyor belt and adapted topush an empty container laterally off the side edge of the conveyor beltonto the supporting means of one of said filling means, and meansincluding electrical switches operated by travel of the pusher assemblyfor retracting the pusher assembly away from the empty container after apredetermined time interval in the event that the empty container failsto reach said supporting means.
 4. Container filling apparatus,comprising in combination: a conveyor belt for delivering emptycontainers, a stationary stop engaging the first empty container in theseries on the conveyor belt, a plurality of container filling meansspaced along one edge of the conveyor belt, each of said containerfilling means having means for supporting a container while it is beingfilled from the top, a pusher assembly operable at right angles to saidconveyor belt, the pusher assembly having a portion thereof ofsubstantially the same width as the outside transverse dimension of eachcontainer and positioned so that in advanced position said portion isengaged by a container upstream on said conveyor belt, and said pusherassembly being adapted to push an empty container laterally off the sideedge of the conveyor belt onto The supporting means.
 5. Containerfilling apparatus, comprising in combination: a conveyor belt fordeliving empty cylindrical containers, a plurality of container fillingmeans spaced along one edge of the conveyor belt, each of the containerfilling means having a turntable for supporting a container while it isbeing filled from the top, selectively operable means for rotating theturntable to distribute material from the filling means to within thecontainer, a pusher assembly operable at right angles to said conveyorbelt and adapted to push an empty container laterally off the side edgeof the conveyor belt onto the turntable, and a resiliently-urged markeradapted to contact the outer cylindrical surface of the container as itis being rotated on the turntable to produce a distinctive mark on thecontainer.